Microsoft Build 2022: 5 things we're dying to see

Microsoft's Build developer briefing is back this May, and as usual, nosotros're expecting lots of long talks about Visual Studio, the cloud, and other super powerful developer tools and platforms. However, we're secretly hoping that Microsoft puts a little more accent on Windows this yr, with things like Windows Core OS, HoloLens 2, and Anaheim in the works internally.

Here's what nosotros're hoping to see at the Build 2022 developer conference.

Windows 10 20H1

Microsoft recently started flighting 20H1 preview builds to Insiders in the Skip Ahead band, which is notable equally 20H1 isn't scheduled to be released until April 2022. That means 20H1 volition exist in testing past Insiders for at least 13 months, the longest of any official Windows preview phase since Windows 8. Microsoft's only official word on the matter is that information technology's planning new features that need longer pb time for development and testing.

While nothing is confirmed, nosotros have heard whispers that Microsoft may finally be planning to introduce more "CShell" universal vanquish elements to desktop with 20H1, including an updated XAML taskbar, arrangement tray, and more than. This would explain why Microsoft is giving 20H1 a long lead time. It would be awesome if Microsoft finally opened up nearly its new universal shell at Build 2022, talking virtually how information technology can adapt and showcase improved animations and consistency across UI elements.

Whatever Microsoft is planning for 20H1, we think Build 2022 would exist a dandy place to start talking nearly it.

Windows Lite

Another Windows-related matter in the cards for Build 2022 is Microsoft's rumored lightweight version of Windows, known publicly as "Windows Light". This is a new flavor of Windows Core OS that's designed to take on Chrome OS and iOS for iPad, with a new user interface that drops live tiles in favor of the more familiar static app launcher only notwithstanding has deep ties with web experiences and puts the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) front end and middle.

If Microsoft announces Windows Lite, we'd as well like to meet Microsoft give out a programmer device to those in attendance that comes with Windows Lite preinstalled. This would give them an incentive to back up Microsoft'due south new Windows Bone.

More than on HoloLens 2

Microsoft is expected to announce HoloLens 2 at Mobile World Congress (MWC) on Feb 24, but nosotros're not expecting in that location to be a huge deep dive into new developer opportunities at its unveiling. So, that makes Build 2022 the perfect time to open up more nigh its plans for HoloLens two and detail to developers what exactly they tin do to take advantage of HoloLens ii's new capabilities.

It's worth noting that HoloLens ii is some other Windows Core OS-powered device from Microsoft. Windows Core OS is the magic behind Windows Calorie-free, Surface Hub 2X, and HoloLens two, so perhaps a discussion about Windows Core OS itself will happen at Build 2022.

Microsoft's new 'Anaheim' browser

We might actually see this testify up before Build 2022, but even so, we'd love to see Microsoft talk more near its plans for its new Chromium version of Border, codenamed "Anaheim". Information technology would be great to see Microsoft detail its roadmap for Anaheim and talk more than about why information technology'due south switching to Chromium and what kind of improvements and new features to expect because of the change.

An update on PWAs on Windows 10

This kind of ties into both Windows Lite and Anaheim, but information technology'd be groovy if Microsoft started talking more about its progressive web app (PWA) plans for Windows. Because Windows Calorie-free is all nigh the web, you'd remember Microsoft would be making some big strides in ensuring PWAs piece of work well on Windows, and information technology might even want to convince developers that building PWAs is a great idea if y'all're because edifice an app.

What do you want to meet?

That's our list of things we're hoping to see talked almost at Build 2022. What are yous hoping to see? Allow us know in the comments.

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